The nation of Australia was long seen as a international standard-bearer in gun control – the Bondi tragedy has laid bare a much murkier truth.

On a Sunday afternoon in April 1996, a lone gunman wielding semi-automatic rifles took the lives of 35 people in the historic site of Port Arthur.

That national tragedy nearly thirty years ago, which led to some of the toughest firearm regulations in the world, can seem like a different era for many citizens.

However, the tragedy in Bondi this past Sunday, which claimed 15 lives, has revived the ghosts of the Port Arthur massacre.

Gun Ownership at a Record High

A recent report revealed that there are now over four million privately-owned firearms across the country – a figure that is almost double the amount from two decades prior.

This means approximately a weapon for each small group of people.

While the state of Queensland has the highest number of legal firearms, followed by New South Wales (NSW) and the state of Victoria, it is the island state and the Northern Territory that have the greatest density of weapons.

The data also contradicts the common view that guns are mostly possessed by people in regional areas.

Firearms are widespread in metropolitan and suburban areas, with a large share located in population centres.

Critically, there are now weapons owned by a smaller group, with the average licence holder possessing several firearms.

Understanding Australia's Current Gun Laws?

Gun control laws in Australia are not uniform across the country, with a mixed implementation of rules between different jurisdictions.

Generally, to obtain a gun licence, an individual must be over 18, deemed a "responsible individual", pass a safety program, and provide a "valid purpose" for ownership.

The permitted justifications include sport shooting or animal management, competitive shooting, certain occupational requirements, and as a hobby.

However, significant loopholes remain. For instance, minors in some states can have access to a firearm from as young as 10 or 12 years old.

Following the Port Arthur massacre, a sweeping overhaul of national gun laws was enacted, leading to a large-scale surrender scheme of over 650,000 firearms.

Certain types of firearms were prohibited, and security screenings alongside delays for sales were introduced.

A key tenet of these reforms was the removal of "self-defence" as a justifiable cause for gun ownership.

New Push for Gun Law Reform

In the hours following the Bondi shooting, political leaders were clear about the need to tighten gun laws.

A national gun buyback scheme was proposed, marking the most significant such effort since 1996.

Other proposals now under consideration include:

• Limiting the number of guns an individual can have registered.
• Ending "open-ended" licensing arrangements.
• Making Australian citizenship a prerequisite for firearm ownership.
• Improving intelligence sharing during vetting processes.

There are also calls for regular reviews of existing licence holders, acknowledging that "situations evolve" over time.

A Complicated Debate

These proposed changes have drawn criticism from some quarters.

Pro-gun advocates contend that limiting gun numbers would not have stopped an attack driven by radicalisation.

They suggest that resources would be better spent improving intelligence rather than tightening regulations for the overwhelming number of responsible owners.

Furthermore, a critical reform from 1996 – a national firearms register – remains incomplete, though it has now been listed as a urgent task.

A Painful Reminder

For long-time advocates, the Bondi attack is a tragic indication that policies must be updated with changing times.

They argue that modernisation is needed to "keep up-to-date" and safeguard communities.

While mass shootings remain uncommon in Australia compared to some nations, the potential persists, and the ongoing issue of firearms circulating illegally – through black markets – continues to pose a danger.

As one advocate stated, "It's sad that it needs such a tragedy to focus attention and listen."